Catholic Foundation

“Like two sacred rivers flowing from paradise, the Bible and divine Tradition contain the Word of God, the precious gems of revealed truths. Though these two divine streams are in themselves, on account of their divine origin, of equal sacredness, and are both full of revealed truths, still, of the two, Tradition is to us more clear and safe.” — “Catholic Belief,” Joseph Faa di Bruno, D.D., p. 88. New York: Benziger Brothers., 1912.FAFA 26.3

“But since Divine revelation is contained in the written books and the unwritten traditions (Vatican Council, I, II), the Bible and Divine tradition must be the rule of our faith; since, however, these are only silent witnesses, ... we must look for some proximate rule which shall be animate or living .... The Bible could not be left to interpret itself.” Therefore Catholics declare the “Church to be its acknowledged interpreter.” And under the heading: “The Catholic Doctrine Touching the Church as the Rule of Faith,” we read: “Now the teaching Church is the Apostolic body continuing to the end of time.” But of the teachers of this body, they say: “Unless they be united with the Vicar of Christ [the Pope], it is futile to appeal to the episcopate in general as the rule of faith.” They then sum up their rule of faith thus: “‘Hence we must stand rather by the decisions which the pope judicially pronounces than by the opinions of men, however learned they may be in Holy Scripture.” — “Catholic Encyclopedia,” Vol. V, pp. 766-768, art. “Faith, Rule of.” The teaching Church, with the pope at its head, is therefore the Catholic “rule of faith.”FAFA 26.4

Thus we see that the Roman Catholic Church places tradition above the Bible as more safe, and substitutes the pope for the Holy Spirit as the guide. Christ promised His followers: “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.” “He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.” John 16:13; 14:26. That these promises are not confined to the leaders of the church, is made plain by John, who applies them to all Christians: “But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, .. - ye shall abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27. In answer to these Scriptures the Catholic writers say:FAFA 27.1

“Nor can it be said that being a divinely inspired book, its prime Author, the Holy Ghost, will guide the reader to the right meaning.” — “Things Catholics Are Asked About,” M. J. Scott, S. J., p. 119. New York: 1927.FAFA 27.2